Rotifer New Fares track, Black Bag video and 24 Jan London show

Gare du Nord Records are pleased to present the sing-along lyrics video to the song “The New Fares” from Rotifer’s album “The Cavalry Never Showed Up” just in time for the latest above-inflation annual fare increases to hit British passengers (not customers).

The track can be found on the Rotifer album “The Cavalry Never Showed Up” which is available at your digital retailer of choice, as well as physically at Rough Trade Shops, Norman Records and the Gare du Nord bandcamp page

Robert Rotifer wrote the song in reaction to a poster he saw at his local train station at the end of last year, tauntingly announcing “the new fares” like some special treat.

It is an anthem written to be sung in ticket queues and on crowded platforms all over the country, a chance for the masses to show their musical appreciation of the fact that, just like the houses of the well-to-do, their train tickets have again gone up in value, making each daily commute seem like a taste of luxury otherwise out of reach.

“Welcome the new fares” goes the call of the chorus, as photographs of stickers, posters and T-shirts in the video suggest an unsung message that would fit well on top of the guitar’s 5-note-response: “Bring back British Rail” is a campaign founded in 2009 that, by its own definition “strives to popularise the common sense idea of re-nationalising the ludicrously over-priced and over-complicated railway system, which the people of Britain have been left with as the result of privatisation in the ’90s.”

One might say this aim has already been met, as opinion polls show 70% of the UK’s population backing rail renationalisation, but so far the political establishment have proved strangely und stubbornly unwilling to act on this particular whim of the public, and pressure needs to be maintained.

Rotifer have invited BringBackBritishRail.org to use “The New Fares” as a campaign song.

By return the campaign gave permission to use the photographs of Ria Hartley and Robin Prime in the video.

Gare du Nord Records are pleased to announce the release of a special single edit of the song “Black Bag” from Rotifer’s album “The Cavalry Never Showed Up” as a digital single, coupled with brand new song “Queen’s Drive”.

The single is accompanied by a video, which sees a distinctly less-than-perky looking Robert Rotifer rifling through his personal effects, as described in the lyrics, although with the difference of still being alive.

Rotifer will play at Gare du Nord Records’ next label showcase at the Betsey Trotwood in London on January 24th, also featuring regulars Papernut Cambridge, Ralegh Long, DJ Andy Lewis (Acid Jazz, Paul Weller band) and an appearance by friend of the label Alex Highton (as recently featured in the Guardian), who will introduce some songs from his upcoming new album.